Eden Hazard quits international football

Published December 8, 2022
In this file photo taken on June 11, 2022 Belgium's midfielder Eden Hazard greets the supporters at the end of the UEFA Nations League, league A group 4 football match between Wales and Belgium at Cardiff City stadium in Cardiff. — AFP
In this file photo taken on June 11, 2022 Belgium's midfielder Eden Hazard greets the supporters at the end of the UEFA Nations League, league A group 4 football match between Wales and Belgium at Cardiff City stadium in Cardiff. — AFP

DOHA: Belgium star Eden Hazard announced his retirement from international football on Wednes­day, days after the team crashed out of the World Cup in the group stage.

The Real Madrid forward, 31, made the announcement on social media, saying “a page turns today”.

“Thank you for your unpa­ralleled support,” he posted on Instagram. “Thank you for all this happiness shared since 2008. I have decided to put an end to my international career. The succession is ready. I will miss you.”

The Belgium team tweeted: “All the best, captain.”

Hazard, who played as an attacking midfielder or winger, made his Belgium debut in 2008 as a teenager and collected a total of 126 caps, scoring 33 goals.

He was the standard-bearer of Belgium’s “golden generation”, which reached the semi-finals at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The team are still ranked second in the world by FIFA but many of their players are in their 30s and they finished third in Group ‘F’ behind Morocco and Croatia.

Hazard made a surprise admission during the tournament in Qatar, saying the team’s best chance to win the World Cup had come and gone.

Belgium were stalked by rumours of in-fighting in Qatar and a number of the country’s other stars including Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois have likely played their final World Cup matches.

In the aftermath of their exit, Belgium coach Roberto Martinez announced he was leaving his job.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram ‘roadmap’
Updated 25 Dec, 2024

Kurram ‘roadmap’

The state must provide ironclad guarantees that the local population will be protected from all forms of terrorism.
Snooping state
25 Dec, 2024

Snooping state

THE state’s attempts to pry into citizens’ internet activities continue apace. The latest in this regard is a...
A welcome first step
25 Dec, 2024

A welcome first step

THE commencement of a dialogue between the PTI and the coalition parties occupying the treasury benches in ...
High troop losses
Updated 24 Dec, 2024

High troop losses

Continuing terror attacks show that our counterterrorism measures need a revamp. Localised IBOs appear to be a sound and available option.
Energy conundrum
24 Dec, 2024

Energy conundrum

THE onset of cold weather in the country has brought with it a familiar woe: a severe shortage of piped gas for...
Positive cricket change
24 Dec, 2024

Positive cricket change

HEADING into their Champions Trophy title defence, Pakistan are hitting the right notes. Mohammad Rizwan’s charges...